Mamata Banerjee faces criticism after riding scooter without helmet in Kolkata
New Delhi: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has courted controversy after travelling approximately 7.5 kilometres on the pillion of a scooter without wearing a helmet, prompting criticism from the opposition and raising questions over possible violations of traffic rules.
The journey took place from CIT Road in Padmapukur to her residence on Harish Chatterjee Street in Kalighat after Banerjee attended a protest where Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and workers had gathered despite reportedly not receiving permission from the police or the court.
During the protest, Banerjee was involved in a verbal altercation with police personnel before leaving the venue on a scooter ridden by Upasana Chowdhury, who heads the TMC’s IT cell. A video shared on Banerjee’s social media accounts shows the two travelling without the former chief minister wearing a helmet. In the video, Chowdhury is heard raising slogans of “Students Want Justice,” with Banerjee occasionally joining in.
According to reports, the scooter is registered in the name of Mushtaq Ahmed of Tiljala and has no pending legal cases.
The incident has triggered discussions over possible legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act. Reports suggest that the registered owner of the scooter could receive a Rs 1,000 fine under Section 128 for allowing a pillion rider to travel without a helmet. Additionally, if the rider lacked the required authorisation or licence, a notice carrying a Rs 5,000 penalty under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act could also be issued. Police action, including arrest, may be possible in cases involving unlicensed driving, depending on the circumstances.
The BJP has strongly criticised the incident, pointing out that Banerjee had promoted the “Safe Drive, Save Life” road safety campaign during her tenure as chief minister, urging motorists and riders to wear helmets and comply with traffic regulations.
BJP MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari demanded that police initiate a case against Banerjee, alleging that no one should be exempt from the law.
Responding to the criticism, Upasana Chowdhury questioned whether similar action had been taken against BJP leader Dilip Ghosh over an alleged earlier incident of riding a motorcycle without a helmet. She argued that the criticism was politically motivated and said she would respond further only after action was taken in comparable cases.
Police have not officially announced any action in connection with the incident at the time of reporting.